9 Types of ISO standards you must know

ISO Standard Certification is a proof a product or company is responsibly operating in line with the industry best practices and management systems. This is a universal standard and is governed by an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 163 national standards bodies with its Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.

ISO certification would automatically build credibility in the eyes of stakeholders, employees, managerial committees, clients and consumers.

 

What are the standards?

Basically, they are universal specifications for products, services and systems, to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. They are instrumental in facilitating trade and building trust.

ISO has till now has brought about 22521 International Standards, covering almost every industry, from technology to food safety, service, to agriculture and healthcare. However, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are most generic ISO Standards, and they are applicable to most types of business and organizations. ISO International Standards impact everyone, everywhere.

 

ISO 9001

This is a recognized standard for creating, implementing and maintaining a ‘Quality Management System’ for any given company. It is applicable to the industry of any size or capital. The latest and revised standard was published in 2015 and has been followed ever since.

ISO 14001

This one is a guide on what needs to be done to implement an environmental management system (EMS). It comprises of policies, processes, plans, practices and records that define the rules governing how your company interacts with the environment. ISO 14001 requirements provide a framework and guidelines for creating EMS for any organization. The world follows the standard set in 2015.

OHSAS 18001

This standard states about what needs to be done to implement an occupational health & safety management system. It comprises of policies, processes, plans, practices, and records that define the rules about health and safety. The standards agreed on 2007 are intact and still being followed by all industries alike.

ISO 45001

This standard states about what needs to be done to implement an occupational health & safety management system. It comprises of policies, processes, plans, practices, Hazards identification and Risk Assessment and records that define the rules about health and safety. This standard was published in 2018 and is being followed by many industries.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is an information security standard, of which the last version was published in 2013, ISO 27001 specifies a management system that is intended to bring information security under management control and gives specific requirements. Organizations that meet the requirements may be certified by an accredited certification body following successful completion of an audit.

ISO 22000

This standard specifies requirements for a food safety management system (FSMS) to enable an organization that is directly or indirectly involved in the food chain to plan, implement, operate, maintain and update a FSMS providing products and services that are safe, in accordance with their intended use. This standard was published in 2018 and is being followed by many industries.

ISO 50001

This is a voluntary International Standard to provide organizations an internationally recognized framework to manage and improve their energy performance. This standard addresses Measurement, documentation, and reporting of energy use and consumption. It also includes design and procurement practices for energy-using equipment and other factors affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by the organization. The last updating standardized in 2011.

ISO 20000

This standard deals with delivering an effective IT Service Management of any industry or work process.  This one is a vital standard especially almost every industry is IT-dependent. It effects on operations how you operate and how you communicate – it’s a fundamental element of how you do business.

ISO 31000

This is a risk management programme providing details of foundations and arrangements to implement safety and manage risks with an internationally recognized benchmark. Implementing ISO 31000 is the key to supporting an effective business, and becoming an apt guide to help organizations achieve objectives, identify opportunities and threats and allocate resources for risk treatment.

 

The objective of ISO is to advance, improvement and facilitate business and exchange of goods worldwide. ISO registration or ISO certification improves the credibility of the business.